‘Transfer of jail facility a priority’

By LITO RULONA,
Correspondent

THE Plan to transfer the Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail (MOPJ) to the Municipality of Initao would push through following the resumption of talks between representatives from Ayala Land and Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano and other provincial officials.

This was disclosed by MOPJ Jail Warden Dominador Tagarda after Emano claimed that the transfer of the provincial jail would become his priority project on his second term of office.

“Kinahanglan na gyud i-transfer ang provincial jail kay overcrowded na ang mga inmates,” he said.

The jail facility –– which was built sometime in early 70’s and was designed to cater 250 inmates –– is already overcrowded with some 560 inmates.

Under the Emano administration, the provincial jail is set to relocate in 3.2-hectare property which was donated by the local government of Initao in Barangay Andales.

The facility will be divided into three one-hectare areas: agricultural area, training center which will be maintained by the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority, and the jail compound.

“Within the compound of the new provincial jail, we will also build a rehabilitation center for drug dependents. Dili lang kita mo cater og piniriso but also a rehabilitation center for drug victims. The entire compound will cater more than 700 inmates,” he said.

Earlier, Emano said in a radio interview that two investors have shown interest in acquiring the area presently occupied by the provincial jail.

The MOPJ has a 2,500 square meter area which is located right at the corner of Corrales Avenue and Antonio Luna Street.

In their proposal, Ayala Land is planning to build a six-storey building in Antonio Luna St. to Corrales Ave. at the Capitol property of the province with a parking lot area inside the building. The construction of the building of the said area will be part of the contract that the Ayala group offered to build a new prison facility for Misamis Oriental in Initao town.

The property of the Capitol would allow the Ayala group to use for 50 years and will pay at least P2 million a month to the provincial government.

If this agreement will push through, the provincial jail will be transferred to Initao where the Capitol will spend another P200 to P300 million for the new prison facilities.